Weird Fish bought in a management buyout

Ethical clothing wholesaler Weird Fish has been purchased in a management buyout with the assistance of Piper Private Equity, who provided £8m of funding.

Cheltenham-based Weird Fish, established 15 years ago by Doug Tilling, has developed into one of the largest wholesale brands in the active lifestyle clothing market in the UK.

Doug Tilling recently sold the business to a management team headed by managing director John Stockton, who was involved in the growth of the Animal clothing brand before joining Weird Fish less than two years ago.

Stockton plans to focus on either expansion or product development, merchandising and marketing with the new funding.

Though it has several shops in locations including Cowes, Dartmouth, Truro and Weymouth, 80 per cent of its business is derived from wholesale, with the rest divided between shop-based and online retail.

The retailer's products are mainly purchased by the expanding market of active older men and women who seek branded, unique clothing over that provided by larger mainstream retailers.

Of its ethical approach Stockton says: "We pay a good price for our merchandise and expect the factories to pay proper wages."

Weird Fish has revenues of £10 million, and its business has increased by 30 per cent over the past two years.

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